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For local gays, marriage ruling a long time coming

By Katie Lannan, klannan@lowellsun.com

Updated:
06/27/2013 07:01:59 AM EDT

SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / CHRIS CAMIRE
Joe Altman, of Fitchburg, celebrated the Supreme Court's ruling Wednesday striking down a provision in the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Altman, who owns Silent Partner's Consignment & Antiques in Leominster, wed in the city's first same-sex marriage in May 2004. His husband, Larry Beatham, died five years ago.

It was almost five years ago that Joe Altman's husband Larry Beatham died, but Altman called the Social Security office yesterday afternoon, inquiring about his survivor benefits, to the surprise of the woman who answered the phone.

"She said, 'You're calling now, after five years?' " Altman said later in the afternoon. "It's a matter of principle. I waited until this was done, and now I'm calling."

What Altman, and other area residents in same-sex marriages, were waiting for was the U.S. Supreme Court's decision that legally married same-sex couples should get the same federal benefits as their heterosexual counterparts. That ruling came Wednesday, in a 5-4 opinion striking down a provision in the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

SUN / BOB WHITAKER
"It's a wonderful thing for equality in the whole United States," said Emile Dufour, 76, of Lowell, left, with his husband Fred Riley, 81.

For couples in Massachusetts, where gay marriage has been legal for nine years, the ruling means an end to a two-tier system where their union was recognized on a state level, but not federally.

"I knew when I went into this that the federal government didn't recognize this, but that didn't deter me, nor did it Larry," said Altman, a Fitchburg resident wed in the city's first same-sex marriage in May 2004.

Altman said the lack of federal recognition, and the corresponding benefits, don't make sense to him.

"That's like giving someone the car but not letting them have the engine," said Altman, who owns Silent Partner's Consignment & Antiques in Leominster.

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When Dracut residents Traci and Karen Strykowski got married, on New Year's Eve in 2004, it didn't occur to them that the different laws would create obstacles, including a complicated tax process where they'd file their federal returns separately, but do joint paperwork for state taxes.

"We didn't really consider what it would mean to be married in the state, but not the country," Traci Strykowski said. "I don't think people realize what a hassle it is for gay people who are married in this country, up until now."

Emile Dufour, 76, of Lowell, said he'll likely file his first joint tax return with his husband Fred Riley, 81, next year.

The two have been together for 26 years, and married "since the very first day that Massachusetts allowed it, which was May 29, 2004," Dufour said.

Dufour said he followed the court proceedings, but wasn't sure how the justices would rule.

"It was hard to tell. I didn't know if they'd do such a sweeping thing," he said. "It's a wonderful thing for equality in the whole United States."

Representatives at MassEquality, a Boston-based advocacy organization that fought to legalize gay marriage in the commonwealth, say the expansion of tax, retirement and health benefits is a step closer to a society where all are treated as equal.

"In Massachusetts, we've celebrated marriage equality for nine years, and we know that families are healthier and communities are stronger when everyone is treated with dignity and respect," Mass Equality Executive Director Kara Suffredini said in a statement. "Today's DOMA ruling does just that by affirming that all who choose to legally marry come before their government as equal."

Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Family Institute, an organization out of Woburn whose mission statement calls for "strengthening the family and affirming the Judeo-Christian values upon which it is based," condemned the court's decision.

Kris Mineau, MFI's president, said his organization was pleased, however, that the justices did not issue a sweeping redefinition of marriage. He pointed out that federal benefits will only apply to same-sex couples wed in the 12 states where such marriages are legal.

"Marriage between a man and a woman has been an eternal truth for all of recorded history, and this is just a speed bump on the road that will be straightened out," Mineau said.

Acknowledging it's an "uphill battle" in Massachusetts, Mineau said his organization would continue to advocate against same-sex marriage, believing every child should be raised by both a mother and father.

Activists on the other side of the issue are also committed to continuing their push.

MassEquality communications director Rachel Wisch said one focal point for her organization will be advocating for the passage of a bill, currently before the state Legislature, that would protect people who are transgender from discrimination in public accommodations.

Dufour is concerned with prejudice in nursing homes, where he said gay friends of his face discrimination not only from staff, but from fellow residents.

"There's a lot of issues to go," Dufour said. "This certainly isn't the end of the rainbow."

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